Counsel appearing for the aggrieved parties in the Kolonnawa assault case contended that Wellampitiya Police had led the main suspect and other underworld gangsters who allegedly attacked the victims go scot free on the influence of politicians.

Counsel Gunaratna Wanninayake watching the interests of the Kolonnawa Municipal Council Mayor Chandrasiri Dias, Councillor Janaka Naulage and former Provincial Councillor Lesley Kuruppuarachchi alleged that the Wellampitiya Police was conducting investigations in a suspicious manner.

The counsel complained that a gang headed by Provincial Councillor Duminda Silva and gangsters Kata Roshan, Banku Handi Keerthi Wijegunaratne and Ambatale Kumudu were not arrested even after complaints had been lodged against them with regards the incident

The Counsel submitted Municipal Council Mayor Chandrasiri Dias’ house had been seriously damaged.

The unruly mob had also ransacked the house of Councillor Janaka Naulage who was warded with injuries in Ward 72 at the National Hospital Colombo for treatment. They were alleged to have robbed the mobile phones and cash from the victims.

The counsel contended that the suspects had attempted to set fire to Janaka’s daughter and attacked the house of former Mulleriyawa Kotikawatta Pradeshiya Sabha member Lesley Kuruppuarachchi. The suspects had carried T56 rifles shot guns and swords in the attack.

The counsel was critical on the Police and said that the police did not conduct proper investigations. They had arrested nine suspects allegedly involving in the incident without producing the real culprits for political reasons, the counsel charged. The Police had produced some wooden poles that were alleged to have been used to attack the victims.

Th weapons - two T56 rifles, swords and iron bars that were used in the assault were not produced in court. The counsel appearing for the suspects denied the allegations and submitted that the suspects were arrested while travelling in a van carrying wooden staves for a a meeting that was to be held yesterday.

They said the complainants lawyers were unreasonably attempting to involve Provincial Council Member Duminda Silva to prevent him from casting his vote in the Presidential Election.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Praharsha S. Ranasinghe directed the Police to conduct proper investigations. She fixed an identification parade on January 18 and remanded the suspects.